Mastering New Habits: Two Simple Strategies to Start Today
Updated: Sep 3
Forming a new healthy habit can be challenging, but the right habit strategy can help you jumpstart the process. There are many habit strategies available to help you form a new habit. I will share with you two common habit strategies that you can begin today: Habit Stacking & Habit Pairing. They are similar but used for different purposes.
Habit stacking links a new behavior to an existing automatic routine, while habit pairing merges a boring task with an enjoyable activity to boost motivation. Both strategies help build consistency, but they serve different core purposes in personal development.
Core Definitions
Habit Stacking: Attaching a new, desired behavior directly to an established daily action using a trigger formula like "After [current habit], I will [new habit]". Habit stacking relies on existing brain patterns to make the new action automatic (a habit).
Habit Pairing: Combining an unpleasant or difficult task with something you genuinely like or find rewarding. This method uses temptation bundling & dopamine to make required work easier to start.
Key Differences
HABIT STACKING:
Used for creating a brand new habit
An old habit triggers a new habit
Example- Meditating for 15 minutes after having a cup of coffee
HABIT PAIRING:
Used to make a boring task/task you do not want to do, easier & more enjoyable
'Pairing' a task you enjoy doing with a task you have to do
Example- Listening to your favorite podcast ONLY while walking on the treadmill
Think about a new habit you would like to include on your health & fitness journey... How can you employ either habit stacking or habit pairing to help you reach your goal?
Think about your daily routine & how you can 'stack' or 'pair' the new desired behavior into your normal routine.
It is imparitive that the new habit you are trying to create fit into your usual routine in order for you to stay consistant & work towards making the new habit stick.
At H3 Fitness, Stacy, a Certified Behavior Change Specialist, has helped many women like you form new healthy habits that transformed their health and fitness.
When it comes to your health & fitness, forming new habits can be very challenging, but with some simple sustainable strategies, guidance, & accountabiliy you will be surprised how much easier the process can become.
Contact H3 Fitness today to start your journey!
Fill out the Contact Form at h3fitness.com
XO,
Stacy
H3 Fitness
Healthy. Happy. Habits.
